A four-alarm hearth broken the historic sanctuary at First Baptist Dallas downtown.
The fireplace was first reported round 6 p.m. Friday and was largely extinguished by about 9:30, in accordance with a press release from the church.
“We proceed to reward God for His hand of safety on our church. We’re grateful that nobody was injured at this time and are grateful for the primary responders who helped comprise the fireplace to our Historic Sanctuary,” the church mentioned in a press release posted to X.
The assertion assured worshippers “we intend to satisfy for church this Sunday.”
The fireplace originated within the basement and unfold to the second flooring, hearth officers mentioned. A plume of smoke was seen from so far as east Dallas.
Dallas interim Fireplace Chief Justin Ball advised reporters he does not know what precipitated the fireplace but.
“Till we clear it out and get an investigation, we cannot know,” he mentioned.
Investigators will not have the ability to go in till the church is deemed structurally protected, he mentioned.
The first church constructing had some smoke injury however gave the impression to be structurally sound, and the fireplace didn’t unfold to surrounding buildings, Ball mentioned.
First Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress advised TV crews the historic sanctuary dates again to 1890 and that he himself was baptized there.
“I am grateful the church isn’t bricks and mortar or wooden, it is folks,” he mentioned.
This can be a creating story and will likely be up to date as extra data is accessible.
